'Don't be too fanatical over a party,' says independent MP

An independent lawmaker has urged voters not to be too fanatical about a party when casting their ballot as it’s not about a party's flag or emblem, but the elected representative’s performance.

Bukit Gantang MP Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal warned that the country's future will remain uncertain if the public restricts their options to only candidates from a political party.

"People have many views. Some fanatical supporters only see the party, while others are more realistic and see the duties of an elected representative and how those elected can serve the people.

"That (service) is what actually binds the leader to the people.

"But, if supporters are fanatical, the future of the country will be at stake because they don't care about the service of the elected representative," he told Malaysiakini today.

Syed Abu Hussin said this when asked to comment on the reception of Bukit Gantang voters after he became an independent MP.

Syed Abu Hussin is one of six Bersatu MPs that the Dewan Rakyat speaker declared as independent representatives after their party membership was stripped for supporting Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The five others were Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), and Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang).

Syed Abu Hussin was an Umno member when he won the Bukit Gantang seat for the first time in the 14th general election.

He then defended the seat in GE15 as a Bersatu member.

Working for the people

Commenting further, Syed Abu Hussin said as an MP, his duty is to help the people.

"A responsible parliamentarian's duty is to help the people. So, I continue my service in Bukit Gantang.

"Actually in Malaysia, the people are very dependent on their elected representatives. As an MP who supports the prime minister, I have sacrificed myself until people say I'm a traitor.

"But, actually, I want to make sure that the people in my area get help, so alhamdulillah we are helping right now," he added.

Legal contradiction allowed ex-Bersatu 6 to keep seats: Lawyer

Amanah lobbies for Kuala Kangsar, Bukit Gantang seats

'Bersatu resorting to constructive dismissal, I'm still Bukit Gantang MP'

Bukit Gantang MP: Razali doesn't know the law, Bersatu constitution

Bukit Gantang MP objects to floating rice prices